In a harrowing revelation that has brought the community of Zengeza 2 in Chitungwiza to limelight, a woman stands accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting her own younger sister, a mere 14 years old. The disturbing acts were allegedly committed over a two-year period, with the accused even recording the heinous acts on video.
The accused, a 30-year-old woman whose identity is being protected to safeguard her vulnerable sibling, appeared before Chitungwiza regional magistrate Mrs Gloria Takundwa last Thursday. She is facing charges of aggravated indecent assault and has been remanded in custody until July 24. It is worth noting that only the High Court has jurisdiction to hear bail applications for such a grave offense.
According to the prosecution, the first incident occurred in September 2022. The elder sister reportedly asked the young girl to buy her some bananas, setting in motion a sickening chain of events. Once alone, she demanded that her sister undress, proceeding to sexually assault her with a banana while recording the disturbing act on video.
Further details emerged during the court proceedings, revealing a pattern of escalating brutality. In November, the accused purchased a cucumber, employing it in a similar assault, meticulously capturing the repugnant act for posterity. It is alleged that from March of the following year until recently, the elder sister continued her reign of terror, replacing the fruits and vegetables with her own fingers while conducting video calls with an unidentified man. Astonishingly, last month, she even provided her young victim with hair remover, forcing her to remove her own pubic hair before subjecting her to yet another appalling violation.
The trauma endured by the young girl finally came to light when she confided in her Shona teacher at school. Overwhelmed by the burden of abuse, she revealed that her elder sister not only subjected her to unspeakable acts but also burdened her with excessive chores and took explicit photographs of her. It was at the insistence of her Fashion and Fabrics teacher that she approached the Guidance and Counselling teacher, seeking assistance in dealing with her nightmarish ordeal.
On July 3, at approximately 2 pm, the brave survivor summoned the courage to disclose the unimaginable horrors she had endured to the compassionate Guidance and Counselling teacher. Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, the teacher promptly accompanied her to the Department of Social Welfare, where immediate steps were taken to protect the vulnerable girl. Subsequently, a formal police report was filed, leading to the arrest of the accused sister.
The revelation of this deeply distressing case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for society to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding the welfare of our most vulnerable members. It is a clarion call to parents, guardians, and educational institutions to create an environment where children feel safe and empowered to disclose any form of abuse they may be enduring.
